Two Shows: 8pm & 11:30pm. The band begins late as Plant reveals "we forgot the bass player's guitar" and begin their set with the instrumental White Summer. Zeppelin open for Iron Butterfly during this two night stand in New York.

Press Review: Led Zeppelin: Fillmore East, NY. On the strength of Led Zeppelin’s debut LP on Atlantic, we dragged ourselves off a sickbed to venture down to the East Village rock showcase to see what they were like in person. It would make an interesting story indeed to be able to say that after hearing them perform, we were dancing in the aisles and subsequently ran all the way home. Suffice to say that the thought entered our mind, and though the spirit was willing, the flesh was weak.

In other words, through the Zeppelin album is very, very good, the group in person is even better and the excitement they generate hasn’t been felt in the Fillmore since the last appearance of Big Brother & the Holding Company.

Vocalist Robert Plant falls into the Terry Reid class (a nice class indeed), but the group’s musical talents are in a class by themselves and the combination of the two can only indicate super-stardom. A subtle hint of the group’s quickly growing status can be found in the fact that while their album had only been out a week and a half, fully half the audience was familiar with it. Need we say more? [Cashbox / Feb. 1969]

Notes:

Two Shows: 8pm & 11:30pm. The band begins late as Plant reveals "we forgot the bass player's guitar" and begin their set with the instrumental White Summer. Zeppelin open for Iron Butterfly during this two night stand in New York.

Press Review: Led Zeppelin: Fillmore East, NY. On the strength of Led Zeppelin’s debut LP on Atlantic, we dragged ourselves off a sickbed to venture down to the East Village rock showcase to see what they were like in person. It would make an interesting story indeed to be able to say that after hearing them perform, we were dancing in the aisles and subsequently ran all the way home. Suffice to say that the thought entered our mind, and though the spirit was willing, the flesh was weak.

In other words, through the Zeppelin album is very, very good, the group in person is even better and the excitement they generate hasn’t been felt in the Fillmore since the last appearance of Big Brother & the Holding Company.

Vocalist Robert Plant falls into the Terry Reid class (a nice class indeed), but the group’s musical talents are in a class by themselves and the combination of the two can only indicate super-stardom. A subtle hint of the group’s quickly growing status can be found in the fact that while their album had only been out a week and a half, fully half the audience was familiar with it. Need we say more? [Cashbox / Feb. 1969]

Comments

I was at the Early show that night. As mentioned, Robert Plant came out and said tha bass guitar was left behind at the hotel. Page came out sat on a stool and played White Summer and Black Mountainside. My friend and I were thrilled at this unexpected treat. We had been Yardbird fans and knew White Summer. I have to say at the time. we thought the "bass back at the hotel" story was false. They were on the bill with Porters Popular Preachers, and Iron Butterfly. I'm sure they could have borrowed a bass. But who cares, It was a great surprise to hear these acoustic songs.

When the whole band hit the stage storming they opened with Train Kept a Rollin'. Another blast because it was a Yardbirds tune. The rest of the show was spectacular. Page and Plant doing the call and response, the violin bow, it was all so new. The entire audience were right there at the point where the riff comes back in at the end of How Many More Times. A big yell from everyone, and right on cue. A true Fillmore moment. We were there to see Zep, not Iron Butterfly. The crowd went wild at the end of the set calling for more. This was Zep's night. They stole the night from Butterfly.

A really good, but uptight and confused gig. The show starts with an announcement from Robert Plant: "We're sorry about the delay but because we're all a bit stupid, we forgot the bass player's guitar! Would you believe that! So we're gonna open up without the bass player. We're gonna feature Jimmy Page. This is a thing that was very popular when he was with The Yardbirds." After a nice early version the band breaks into an extremely powerful The Train Kept A Rollin'. Then the show starts properly and is excellent, except they forget to play Dazed And Confused before the last song ... so they insert it in the middle of How Many More Times! A blistering show where the audience's reaction would mirror mine were I there: "Who gives a shit about the Butterfly?" This was an opening slot for Iron Butterfly ... and indeed who does give a shit?

I was 16yr old who would come in from long island to see shows at filmore every month. Had 2 tickets in 6th row to see Iron Madden ,had never heard of Zep. My buddy cancelled at last moment and sold ticket at venue. One of most amazing shows I'd seen. Went out and bought album next day . By next show had 6 friends come along

Me & my Friends were Fillmore Groupies !!!!
I'll never 4get that night !!!!!!! (I'm almost sure It was the Friday nite Jan 31, 1969 Concert)
As I recall we were so lookin forward 2 see Iron Butterfly .However, when Led Zepplin took the stage we were SO BLOWN OUT !! No one at that time really ever heard of LZ & They were Grreat! >>>>>>>>
O How I Remember !!!!
We went to the Fillmore East every Friday Nite, Cause on Saturdays we did our clubbing nite ( Electric Circus, Unganos,Ondines ETC)
And of course on Sundays ALL US "Hippie/Love/Flower Children"(LoL) Hung out in Central Park, Smokin weed & other shyt>>>>And walked aimlessly round & round Bethesa Fountain "WRAPPIN" about our GROOVEY Weekend >>>OMG,,What a DYNAMITE/GROOVEY/OUTRAGEOUS Time, 2 have Grown Up In >>Really Miss them DAYS & That Entire ERA !!!!
Now All I Have R The Memerories 2 Share With My Children & Grandchildren..Until I Die or Alzheimers robs me of Them !
But I Always Thank GOD I Grew at that Time !!!!!!
Woodstock 69' 4 Ever !!!!!! Rera123

Love your recollections. I lived at the Filmore and at the Park....I'm sure we bumped shoulders or shared a joint somewhere during those unforgettable times. Was at Woodstock69 also (met my wife there - see Woodstock Now & Then). Every word, every letter of your comments could have easily come from my lips. 40+ years later and Cosmic Forces are STILL at work. Love - JM

I had never heard of Led Zeppelin. I was there to see Iron Butterfly. After LZ blew me away, I wondered if IB would still impress. They did. It was an awesome surprise (best unknown [to me] opening act ever!) and a double-plus-good show!

Went to see Iron Butterfly. Sitting somewhere in first 10 rows, Led Zepplin came on....blew me away. They finished, I got up and went the Ratners for some coffee and wrap my head around what I just saw!! No one could follow up that performance and be appreciated.

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